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Community Safety Hub

The new Epping Forest Community Safety Hub has been officially launched by Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing.

Epping Forest District Council and Essex Police have joined forces, together with other agencies, to create the Hub at the Civic Offices in Epping.

Today's official launch and plaque unveiling marked an even stronger partnership between the council and Essex Police.

The Hub comprises the council’s Community Safety Team, a Police Sergeant and two experienced Police Constables funded and tasked by the district council, working together with other partners involved with crime prevention and community safety.

They joined council officers and police officers to open the Hub which has been in operation since the end of June.

Councillor Sam Kane, Epping Forest District Council's Safer Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder, who hosted the launch, said: "Over recent years there has been a sustained period of demand for councils to increase the use of their powers to deal with issues of anti-social behaviour, disorder and environmental crime.

"At the same time, the Government has introduced significant new legislation giving police and councils effective new powers to deal with these issues.

"Epping Forest District Council is already making use of the new powers but enforcement is often the main responsibility of the police, which can lead to a disjointed approach.

"I am hopeful that the creation of this unique Community Safety Hub will prove to be revolutionary for the district.”

Dame Eleanor, who unveiled the plaque, said: "This is a brilliant initiative. I am genuinely delighted to unveil the plaque to mark the launch of the Epping Forest Communtiy Safety Hub.

"There is in our area increasing fear of a rise in crime and I am pleased to be able to tell people that Epping Forest District Council in conjunction with Essex Police and our local community are doing something about it.

"I would like thank the district council, Essex Police and everyone who has been involved in making this ground-breaking initiative come together.”
Guests were shown around the Hub’s Office, which has been newly refurbished in accordance with the council’s Strategic Accommodation Strategy.

The team has adopted agile working, clear desk policies and utilises the facilities of Office 365.

Councillor Kane said: "It is believed that the initiative of a district council both funding and tasking police officers is the first in the country, and may be a flagship for others to follow.

"The council and Essex Police are proud of the close links that they already have with each other, and the creation of the new Community Safety Hub is a tangible demonstration of that continuing innovative partnership working.

"The council’s funding of the three police officers will initially run for the next three years, when its success will be reviewed."